Farm Event: Mushroom Identification
2026-08-29 13:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York)
Let’s get wild on a 3 hour walk in the old growth forest while we discover, properly identify and discuss foraging for wild edible and medicinal mushrooms. We cover the basics to get you started on what could become a lifelong passion and hobby of yours! We discuss prime habitats where specific mushrooms occur, why and what mushrooms do ecologically and a thorough discussion on safety precautions as well as practical harvesting/preservation techniques. Lastly, we will show you some simple wild mushroom uses and cooking techniques that we all will sample!

Learn to identify choice edible and medicinal mushrooms
Learn to identify the common toxic look alikes.
Learn approved forage areas and where not to forage
Learn proper handling and storage techniques
Learn the variety of ways mushrooms benefit the forest and their ecological role
Learn preservation and preparation techniques
Learn the BIG 5 functional mushrooms and what they can do for you
Leave with a few wild recipes

Rain Policy
All of our events have indoor rain plans as backups in case of adverse weather. Please dress accordingly and bring rain gear if the forecast looks to be really wet!
Refund Policy
If you must cancel your reservation to one of our events then please let us know, at the latest, 48 hours before the scheduled time. If an unexpected emergency occurs then please let us know ASAP by emailing farm@themountainrlc.org. For both options, we can offer you the opportunity to attend a future event.

Fall PAL Planning Weekend
2026-09-04 - 2026-09-06
Fall PAL Planning Weekend
​Youth “CONs” are weekend-long events planned by youth with adult support for youth from third grade through high school. At heart, a youth CON is an experience in building a covenantal community and empowering youth leadership.
​Each con has a different theme and focus, but they all incorporate community building, fun, worship, and exploration of spirituality. Each event has its own covenant and is in covenant with The Mountain’s safety policies. Youth experience both the safety of being in a covenantal community and the responsibility to repair relationships when difficult situations arise.
Youth have the opportunity to serve in leadership roles to help plan events, help run events, help the con community live in covenant, or be peer chaplains for emotional support.
Thank you for your interest. We look forward to receiving your application and working together for the Spring CON season.
Peer Advocate Leaders (PAL) and Mentors (Age 16 & up) gather to plan the upcoming Youth CONference season at The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center. The focus of this weekend is to build a program for all ages that is aligned with our Unitarian Universalist values as a supplement to congregational Religious Education programs. Space is limited to 25 registrants for the weekend. Only register if you plan on attending one or more of the Youth Conferences during the season.
Fee
There is no fee for becoming a PAL or Mentors
Includes food and housing
When
September 4-6, 2026
Check in begins at 7pm on Friday
Check out at 11am on Sunday
Registration: Apply below!
Registration deadline: August 28, 2026

PAL Application

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Why do you want to be a PAL?What previous leadership experience do you have?What are your greatest strengths to share as a PAL?What are new skills you would like to have the opportunity to develop as a PAL?Please tell me about any previous experiences with Mountain CONs, MountainCamp, or other Mountain events and programs and/or previous experiences with UU CONs elsewhere.If you have previous involvement with Mountain CONs or CONs elsewhere, which traditions do you feel are important? What would you like to see change?How have you been involved with Unitarian Universalism?What previous experience do you have working with youth (including work at The Mountain)? Please list positions held (if any) and dates of work:What do you hope to focus on to help bring CON participants together?What's one thing you can do to make someone's day while you're here?Which weekends are you available?(Required)

Fall PAL Planning Weekend Sep 4-6 (REQUIRED)

November 6-8: Fall Elementary CON

November 20-22: Fall Intermediate CON

December 11-13: Fall Senior High CON

Other
If other, please explain:Questions / CommentsItems of Note:The Mountain’s Youth Protection Policy requires a background check for anyone age 18 and over working with youth. Each PAL Mentor MUST go through a background check to participate in Youth CONs. See the steps below.
Download the Authorization for Consumer Reports (PDF).
Complete and sign the form.
Submit via:
Mail:P.O. Box 1299Highlands, NC 28741
or upload securely through this dropbox link.
Youth Protection PolicyThe Mountain recognizes the importance of fostering and creating communities where everyone, especially our most vulnerable populations such as children and youth, are protected.

We seek to preserve that spirit of welcome, respect, and trust in balance with our concern for the safety of our children, applying the test of “reasonable precaution” to any policies or guidelines we adopt. We further acknowledge that institutions operating in the best possible manner with all due concern still cannot guarantee an absolutely risk-free setting.

In this spirit, we adopt this policy statement and apply it to all events conducted under the purview of The Mountain.Read The Mountain’s Youth Protection Policy Here (pdf)
Submit Application

Crone Awakening Wisdom
2026-09-10 - 2026-09-13
For More information and Registration . Click The Link Below!

Crone Awakening

2026 Qollasuyu Gathering
2026-09-11 - 2026-09-13
The Qollasuyu September Gathering:
“ Mesa as Midwife: Honoring the Sacred Feminine”

The Qollasuyu September Gathering has occurred at The Mountain
every year (except 2021) since 2010 and years before with workshops
with Oscar Miro-Quesada who began sharing the Peruvian Wisdom and
Healing traditions of his teachers, Don Celso Rojas Palomino and don
Benito Corihuaman Vargas. Following our original mission to promote
and support workshops with Oscar Miro~Quesada in the Southeast, the
Qollasuyu Council determined we also needed to create Council
sponsored gatherings to bring the Pachakuti Mesa Tradition mesa
carriers and interested others together in beautiful surroundings to be in
community and ceremony as a way to be together and practice the
practices.
The Pachakuti Mesa Tradition integrates Andean ancestral wisdom,
including reverence for the divine feminine, through its practices and
ceremonies that honor the sacredness of nature and community.
During this weekend we will honor the Sacred Feminine by becoming
more aware of the ways the sacred feminine infuses the tradition, our
community as well as our personal lives and practices. Through
ceremony, contemplation, communion and conversation, we will invoke,
evoke, and celebrate the many dimensions of this multifaceted tradition
and practice.

We come to remember and practice the practices.
What we do alone at our mesas is amplified
when we and our mesas come together in community.
REGISTRATION for The Program:
Our weekend is open to mesa carriers of The Pachakuti Mesa Tradition
as well as other mesa carriers in a Peruvian tradition. If you are a
Pachakuti Mesa Carrier or have attended the Gathering in past years,
please register for lodging and meals with the Mountain through the
Registration Portal. Under Programs, go to OTHER. Look for Qollasuyu
Gathering.
Additional information and Payment options for Program fee of
$65.00 can be found at https://qollasuyu.blogspot.com/
Please contact Janet Harvey at chacaruna@icloud.com for more
information or answers to questions.
NOTE: If you are interested, but not familiar with The Pachakuti Mesa
Tradition, please visit: https://heartofthehealer.org/
!! We also require that any who are new to the tradition who wish to
attend ato complete the basic course. https://
http://initiations.heartofthehealer.org/starter-bundle ($75)
Participants are expected to attend the events of the full weekend.
Registration for The Mountain: Now open!
Registration deadline: August 28, 2026
The Gathering begins Friday evening and ends Sunday afternoon. You
may also choose to arrive on Thursday night and/or stay on Sunday
night. Meals in The Mountain’s Dining Hall will be served beginning
with Friday dinner and ending with Sunday lunch.
Room and Board Fee
Double Occupancy – $135 per person per night
Single Occupancy (limited availability) – $205 per person per night
Bunkhouse – $115 per person per night
Commuter – $60
Additional Nights – $80 (no meals. Bring food and/or enjoy Highland’s excellent
dining spots.
For additional information and payment of the program fee of
$65.00, please visit the Qollasuyu website:
https://qollasuyu.blogspot.com/

Farm Event: Community Meet and Greet
2026-09-12 13:00 - 16:00
Rain Policy
All of our events have indoor rain plans as backups in case of adverse weather. Please dress accordingly and bring rain gear if the forecast looks to be really wet!
Refund Policy
If you must cancel your reservation to one of our events then please let us know, at the latest, 48 hours before the scheduled time. If an unexpected emergency occurs then please let us know ASAP by emailing farm@themountainrlc.org. For both options, we can offer you the opportunity to attend a future event.

Episcopal Church of the Epiphany Annual Retreat
2026-09-18 - 2026-09-20
The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany is an inclusive community called to seek and follow Jesus Christ. We welcome all people in the Eucharistic fellowship of Christ’s Body. We receive strength and encouragement at the common table to carry out Christ’s work of reconciliation in our broken world. Nourished by worship and witness, learning and teaching, fellowship and service, we strive to live out the Gospel’s radical values with gladness of heart.
Church Website
When
​Program: September 18 – 20, 2026
Registration Deadline: September 4
Registration: Open
Registration Fees
Adult Double Occupancy: $270/person
Youth 12-17: $70 /person – Use transfer code ECOTEY
Child 4-11: $40/person – Use transfer code ECOTEC
Toddler 0-3: Free!

In our registration system you’ll find:
“Church Retreats” | “MountainCamp” | “Other Retreats” | “Youth CONs”
Select “Church Retreats“, then select your “Episcopal Church of the Epiphany” package.

The Oneness Movement: Beautiful State Course
2026-09-19 - 2026-09-20
The Beautiful State is a two-day journey into the power of consciousness..
Through The Beautiful State course, you will discover the power of your consciousness and how it can reshape our own life and the world around you. This course serves as a roadmap to guide you through the unconscious mind to greater self-awareness and higher levels of consciousness
Embark on this transformative journey to discover your true self, learn the art of living in a beautiful state, and unlock the door to a life of joy, harmony, and synchronicity.
At the heart of this workshop is the recognition that a beautiful state of being is not only a possibility but is our true nature. Through a series of enlightening sessions, neuroscience-based meditation practices, and guided processes, you will learn to release destructive, unconscious patterns that impede every aspect of life. This program offers an opportunity to transcend stressful states of mind, awaken you to the universal intelligence, and empower you to live a beautiful life.
Our lives reflect our inner state. To change our lives, we must first transform our inner being. In every instance, the choice is ours: live in stress or in a beautiful state. This inner journey is designed to awaken harmony in every aspect of our lives.
After this course you will be able to:

Free yourself of over-thinking
Return to calm more easily by learning simple, powerful & specially designed meditations
Create harmony with yourself & other
Re-discover your authentic self and be more energized & joyful
Enjoy a creative life where inspiration comes and answers flow to you
Tap into Higher Consciousness and create synchronicities

About The Intrutor:
Erin Miller is an Advanced Trainer in The Oneness Movement –
the revolutionary wisdom, meditation, yoga and transformational
academy in India. She has attended over 12 courses in India
and Sweden since 2014, nurturing a more calm and joyful
existence.
Since 2019, Erin has facilitated programs and trainings like this
one for hundreds of people from all walks of life around the US.
She is an intuitive and clear teacher, facilitator of growth and
transformation. She became a facilitator when she had a
profound shift in consciousness resulting in a greater silencing
of the monkey mind and elimination of unworthiness after many
years of unsuccessfully “working on it”
The external world is shaped by our inner world, both
consciously and unconsciously. Erin has a deep desire to
support each of our journeys into living with creativity, clarity,
freedom and serenity. In other words, to nurture a beautiful
state of being in each one of us to transform our outer world.
Registration Info
Registration Status: Now open!
Registration deadline: September 4, 2026
Fees
This retreat begins on Saturday morning and ends Sunday afternoon. You may also choose to arrive on Friday night and/or stay on Sunday night. Meals in The Mountain’s dining hall will be served beginning with Friday dinner and ending with Sunday lunch or dinner.
Room and Board Fee
Double Occupancy – $135 per person per night
Single Occupancy (limited availability) – $205 per person per night
Bunkhouse – $115 per person per night
Commuter – $60
Program Fee
First Time Participant – $275
Returning Participant – $175
Student – $150
Registration Instructions

Go to The Mountain’s Portal
On the top right click on Registration Portal.
Create an account
Complete your personal profile
Under “Program Classifications” select ‘Other Retreats’
Find 2026 Beautiful State Course
Select your room option and number of nights
Specify dietary needs, housing options and mobility needs
Specify roommate options. If this is left empty one will be assigned to you
Submit payment. Your spot is not secured until payment has been submitted.

Click Here to Register!

Farm Event: Nurture with Nature - Oxymel & Elixir Making
2026-09-19 13:00 - 16:00
Have you ever wondered how natural remedies are made? Oxymels and Elixirs are long embedded in our history. Come learn how to sustainably harvest and process natural herbs that you could be medicinally using right now from your own backyard. Learn to treat common colds and seasonal allergies without harmful drugs from the pharmacy. Hear the stories, legends and lore our elders used to tell us of these native plants and most of all take your health into your own hands.
Here we will learn to identify and ethically wildcraft medicinal plants and herbs into healing oxymels and elixirs to boost your immune system and naturally care for your family.

Learn what oxymel and elixirs are
Learn their traditional uses
Learn to identify and forage wild medicinal herbs
Learn to use ingredients from your own refrigerator
Learn to make your own customized product to care for you and your family such as elderberry tonic and fire cider

Rain Policy
All of our events have indoor rain plans as backups in case of adverse weather. Please dress accordingly and bring rain gear if the forecast looks to be really wet!
Refund Policy
If you must cancel your reservation to one of our events then please let us know, at the latest, 48 hours before the scheduled time. If an unexpected emergency occurs then please let us know ASAP by emailing farm@themountainrlc.org. For both options, we can offer you the opportunity to attend a future event.

GSV Fall Conference
2026-09-24 - 2026-09-27
Check back in 2026 for more information!
GaySpiritVisions.org

Waters of the Spirit: UUWomenspirit Fall Gathering
2026-09-30 - 2026-10-04
Waters of the Spirit: UUWomenspirit Fall Gathering
Dates: September 30 – October 4, 2026
Learn more and register here :http://www.uuwomenspirit.org/
Join UUWomenspirit for our Fall 2026 gathering, Waters of the Spirit.
This fall, we’ll gather at The Mountain to explore what water can teach us in its many forms: river, mist, snow, ocean, waterfall, rain, tide, and deep well. Through workshops, worship, ritual, creativity, community, and time in the beauty of the mountains, we’ll reflect on movement, mystery, transformation, renewal, and flow.
UUWomenspirit is a women-centered spiritual community that has gathered since 1987 to celebrate Earth-centered spirituality, the Feminine Divine, seasonal cycles, creativity, and sacred connection. Our gatherings offer space for reflection, learning, ritual, laughter, rest, and belonging.
All women are warmly welcomed. We hope you’ll join us on The Mountain.

UU Asheville Mountain Gathering
2026-10-09 - 2026-10-11
Join our congregation for a restful weekend of inter-generational connections. Experience the mountain retreat and learning center again or for the first time while deepening relationships with fellow congregants. Take a workshop, go for a hike or just sit on the balcony and enjoy spectacular views of the mountains.
When
Program: October 9 – 11, 2026
Registration: Now open!
Registration Deadline: September 25, 2026
This event will sell out well in advance, please register and pay in full to secure your place
Registration
Registration restricted to Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville members, friends and invited guests
We highly recommend guests to register and pay early to secure lodging. We give priority to those who have mobility and medical issues, but cannot guarantee specific rooms to any guest.
Registration Fee includes:

Lodging
Meals
Use of assigned facilities
Participation in program activities

Adult Package Rate, 3 Days /2 Nights, Friday – Sunday:

$260 per person, double occupancy (shared room)​
$400 per person, single occupancy (private room)​​

***Private rooms are limited and based on availability.***
​Youth Package Rate, Friday – Sunday

Youth ages 12-17 – $170
Children ages 4-11 – $130
Toddler ages 0-3 – FREE
Youth and Children must be accompanied by a registered parent/guardian
Youth and Children are lodged with an accompanying registered parent/guardian

Reserve Your Space
In our registration system, select Church Retreats then select your 2026 UU Asheville package
​Each family member must be registered individually in our registration website
​Use one username and password per family
​

UUTC Brevard Annual Retreat
2026-10-11 - 2026-10-13
Inclusive. Intentional. INVOLVED.
This is a three-day, two-night fall congregational retreat for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Brevard. We welcome members and friends of UUTC of all ages. There will be fun and fellowship for all, including nature walks, arts and crafts, workshops, singing and music, and a Sunday service.
​View their website
Program Details
Registration open to UUTC members, friends, and invited guests
Cost
Adult Double Occupancy: $260 per person
Adult Single Occupancy (limited availability): $400 per person
Program: October 11 – 13, 2026
Registration Coming soon!
Registration deadline: September 27, 2026
Registration Instructions

Go to The Mountain’s website
On the top right click on Registration Portal
Create an account
Create a profile for each member of your family
Under “Program Classifications” select ‘Church Retreats’
Select the appropriate program
Specify dietary needs, housing options and mobility needs
Specify roommate options. If this is left empty one will be assigned to you
Repeat this process for each member of your family
Submit payment. Your spot is not secured until payment has been submitted

​Arrival Date and Time: Sunday, Oct 11, 3pm – 6pm
Departure Date and Time: Tuesday, Oct 13, after 12pm

UU Fellowship of Athens Retreat
2026-10-16 - 2026-10-18
Take a break from the chaos of our world and allow yourself time to rest and reconnect- with nature, each other, and with yourself.
Registration
Registration Status: Open now!
Registration deadline: October 2, 2026
Cost
Adult Double Occupancy: $260 per person
Adult Single Occupancy (limited availability): $400 per person
Youth 12-17: Free
Child 4-11: Free
Toddler 0-3: Free
Youth and children attend this retreat for free thanks to the generous donors to the Youth Scholarship Fund. Please consider making a donation during registration.
Please consider making a donation here as you register: onrealm.org/UUFA/give/youth
Registration Instructions

Go to The Mountain’s website
On the top right click on Registration Portal
Create an account
Create a profile for each member of your family
Under “Program Classifications” select ‘Church Retreats’
Select the appropriate program
Specify dietary needs, housing options and mobility needs
Specify roommate options. If this is left empty one will be assigned to you
Repeat this process for each member of your family
Submit payment. Your spot is not secured until payment has been submitted

Farm Event: Nurture with Nature - Bath Bombs and Salt Scrubs
2026-10-17 13:00 - 16:00

Sacred Lomi
2026-10-19 - 2026-10-23
This Advanced Lomilomi Retreat with Sacred Lomi is designed to help Sacred Lomi practitioners deepen their practice, receive from other advanced practitioners and elevate their gifts as healers. The incredibly serene and uplifting energy of The Mountain Retreat, nestled in the majestic mountain forest of North Carolina, is an incredible place for transformation and life changing reflection. This once-a-year event is the only opportunity for students who have successfully completed our Home Study Course to attend one of our Advanced Lomilomi Retreats! For more information please visit: https://www.sacredlomi.com.

2026 UUCA Atlanta Men's Retreat
2026-10-23 - 2026-10-25
At UUCA, we believe in you. We believe in justice. We believe in rigorous hope. As Unitarian Universalists, we celebrate our community’s diverse spiritual practices and commit to our shared ethical principles.
This October, we welcome our members to our Annual Men’s Retreat!
Registration Is Open
Registration Deadline: 10/9/26
Package pricing includes lodging, meals, & use of facilities:
Adult Shared Room: $240 per person
Adult Private Room: $380 pre person (subject to limited availability)
Commuter Rate: $85 for full day 3 meals & use of facilities, (no lodging) Part days:
Friday Dinner + Evening Programming = $30
Sunday Breakfast + Lunch = $30
Click Here to Register
In our registration system select “Church Retreats” then select your “2026 UUCA Men’s Retreat” package.

UUC Columbia Retreat to The Mountain
2026-10-23 - 2026-10-25
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbia, SC is holding their annual congregational retreat at The Mountain this October.
Strengthened by our common humanity and inspired by our seven principles, we promise

to be a safe and welcoming community;
to nurture each other’s hearts and spirits;
to delight in the beauty of our diversity;
to struggle together on our spiritual journeys;
and to challenge each other to live our values

When

Program: October 23 – 25, 2026
Registration: Open
Registration Deadline: October 9, 2026

Registration
Registration open to UUC Columbia members, friends, and invited guests
Registration Fee includes

Lodging
Meals
Use of assigned facilities
Participation in program activities

Adult 3 Days / 2 Nights Package Rate

Adult Double Occupancy:$240 per person
Adult Single Occupancy: $380 per person
Adult Bunkhouse: $300 person

Youth Package Rate

Youth ages 12-17 – $280
Children ages 4-11 -$220
Toddler ages 0-3 – FREE

Youth and Children must be accompanied by a registered parent/guardian
Youth and Children are lodged with an accompanying registered parent/guardian
Reserve Here

In our registration system, select “Church Retreats” then your “2026 UUCC Retreat” Package
​Each family member must be registered individually in our partner registration website
Use one username and password per family

UU Fellowship of Hendersonville Retreat
2026-10-23 - 2026-10-25
Celebrate life in all its joy and mystery.
Inspire journeys of truth and meaning.
Engage in practice and service for love, justice, and peace.
When:
Dates: October 23-25, 2026
Registration: Open Now
Registration deadline: October 9, 2026
Festivities will begin with a dinner on Friday evening and end with lunch on Sunday afternoon.
Registration Details:
Adult double occupancy:$240 per person
Adult single occupancy:$380 per person
Adult Bunkhouse:$340 per person
Ages 12-17: $140
Ages 4 -11:$110 per person
Ages 3 or younger are free
All children must be supervised by and sleeping in the same room as parent/guardian
Click Here to Register
In our registration system, choose “Church Retreats” and then your 2026 UUFH Package.

OurSong: 2026 Retreat at The Mountain
2026-11-06 - 2026-11-08
OurSong is dedicated to performing high quality music while celebrating our unique gay and lesbian experience and our evolving place in the world.
OurSong is comprised of musicians from all walks of life with varying levels of musical experience. Some members hold degrees in music, some grew up singing in church, some have performed with famous artists and conductors and some have joined OurSong as their first foray into choral music. However, all of us sing with OurSong because we love to sing. We love the gift that making music brings to our lives and we love sharing that gift with our audience.
When
Program: November 6 – 8, 2026
Registration Deadline: October 23, 2026
Registration open now
Registration
Adult Double Occupancy: $270 per person
Adult Single Occupancy: $410 per person
Adult Bunkhouse: $230 per person
Click Here to Register

Fall Elementary CON
2026-11-06 - 2026-11-08
Fall Elementary CON
Youth Conventions or “CONs” are weekend long events planned by youth with adult support for youth from third grade to high school. At heart, a youth con is an experience in building covenantal community and empowering youth leadership.
Supported by the larger work of The Mountain, each con has a different theme and focus, but they all incorporate community building, fun, worship, and exploration of spirituality. Each event has its own covenant and is in covenant with The Mountain’s safety policies. Youth experience both the safety of being in a covenantal community and the responsibility to repair relationships when difficult situations arise.
Youth have the opportunity to serve in leadership roles to help plan events, help run events, help the CON community live in covenant, or be peer chaplains for emotional support.
When
PALs Training: September 4-6, 2026
Elementary (3rd – 5th graders): November 6-8, 2026
Intermediate (6th – 8th graders): November 20-22, 2026
Senior High (9th – 12th graders): December 11-13, 2026
Registration opens: Now open!
Registration deadline: 2 weeks prior to CON start date.
If your youth coordinator has given you a transfer code number please enter the number at the payment portion of the registration process
In our registration system, select Youth CONferences
Fee
The Mountain is excited to announce a pilot program to better cover the costs of running The Mountain while still making it an accessible place for all who want to come.
Youth
Traditional Cost: $100/person (Covers part of the cost of the weekend)
True Cost: $215/person (Covers the whole cost of the weekend)
No Cost: Free
Advisor
Supporter 2: $100/person (Covers part of the cost of the weekend)
Supporter 1: $50/person (Covers part of the cost of the weekend)
No Cost: Free
Please email youthcamp@themountainrlc.org with any questions or concerns regarding this new price structure.
Click Here to Register!

SEUUMA Fall Retreat - Cognitively-Based Compassion Training
2026-11-09 - 2026-11-12
We are pleased to offer a workshop at the fall retreat on Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT) is a system of contemplative exercises designed to contribute to an individual’s wellbeing and strengthen and sustain compassion for others. CBCT offers a comprehensive method for training compassion that draws on the ancient lojong tradition of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism and is supported by current scientific research in fields such as evolutionary biology, psychology, and neuroscience. While CBCT has its roots in Tibetan Buddhism, it was developed as a secular program, one that introduces practices that can help any individual strengthen their inner skills of the heart and mind.
Compassion is a capacity of the human heart and one that we can strengthen through deliberate practice.
Information About Instructor :
Megan Lloyd Joiner has been a certified Cognitively-Based Compassion
Training instructor with The Compassion Center at Emory University since
2021. She is a board-certified interfaith chaplain and an ordained Unitarian
Universalist minister. With experience as an educator, a healthcare chaplain,
and a parish minister, Megan offers CBCT to members in multiple contexts
including education, healthcare and congregations.
Registration: Live Now
Registration deadline: October 26, 2026
Feel free to reach out to us at gsoffice@themountainrlc.org with any questions.
Fees:
Adult Double Occupancy – $360
Adult Single Occupancy – $570
Youth 12-17 – $210
Children 4-11 – $165
Toddler 0-3 – Free!
Registration Instructions:
Go to The Mountain’s Portal
On the top right click on Registration Portal.
Create an account
Complete your personal profile
Under “Program Classifications” select CHURCH RETREATS
Select your room option
Specify dietary needs, housing options and mobility needs
Specify roommate options. If this is left empty one will be assigned to you
Submit payment. Your spot is not secured until payment has been submitted.
Click Here to Register
In our registration system select “Church Retreats” then select your “2026 Fall SEUUMA Retreat” package.
Save the Date for the Spring SEUUMA Conference in Atlanta, Georgia: April 15-18, 2027

The Path Within Retreat
2026-11-13 - 2026-11-15
The Path Within Retreat

“A Crossroads Reset Experience”
November 13–15, 2026
The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center
Highlands, North Carolina

A Place to Pause Before Your Next Becoming
There are moments in life when something inside us quietly says:
“This way of living is no longer sustainable.”
Not because we are broken.
Not because we failed.
But because we have drifted too far from ourselves.

The Path Within Retreat is a 2 1/2-day immersive experience for people navigating transition, burnout, grief, identity shifts, emotional exhaustion, spiritual awakening, or the deep inner knowing that something needs to change.

This retreat is rooted in the Living Beyond Base Camp framework, a grounded approach to healing and reflection that blends nature, authentic conversation, sacred pause, and meaningful human connection.
This year’s retreat also integrates the Crossroads Reset conversation, helping participants explore the moments where life invites us to stop surviving on autopilot and begin reconnecting with what truly matters.

It is about creating a grounded place where people can:
Rest.
Reconnect.
Reflect.
Reorient.
And prepare for what comes next.
The retreat experience follows a gentle progression:
Day 1 — Arrival
Slow down. Land. Exhale.
Day 2 — Reflection & Reconnection
Explore the Crossroads Reset conversation and reconnect with what matters most.
Day 3 — Integration & Becoming
Clarify what you are carrying forward and what you are ready to leave behind.

Your Retreat Experience Includes
• Two nights lodging at The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center
• Retreat sessions and facilitated experiences
• Guided meditations and restorative practices
• Community gathering circles
• Nature-based experiences
• Meals during the retreat
• Retreat worksheets and integration materials
Retreat Location
The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center
Highlands, North Carolina
Nestled in the mountains of Western North Carolina, The Mountain offers a peaceful environment for rest, reflection, and meaningful connection with nature and community.
Registration Information
Space is intentionally limited to help create a grounded and connected experience.
Retreat Investment
Early Registration: $550- Ending September 14th
Standard Registration: $625
Limited scholarship opportunities may be available through Living Beyond Foundation.
Click here to register
What To Bring:
• Comfortable clothing
• Walking shoes
• Journal or notebook
• Layers for cool mountain evenings
• An open mind and a willingness to be present
Come As You Are
You do not have to have everything figured out before you arrive.
You do not have to become someone new here.
You are simply invited to pause long enough to reconnect with who you already are beneath the noise.
Come as you are.
Leave more connected to yourself.
Learn More About Living Beyond Foundation
www.livingbeyondfoundation.org

Divine Embodiment
2026-11-19 08:00 - 2026-11-22 17:00
Divine Embodiment: Exploring the Connection Between Eros and the Divine
Dates: November 19–22, 2026 Location: The Mountain Retreat & Learning Center, Highlands, NC Facilitator: Craig Cullinane, Body Electric School
A four-day immersive retreat for men ready to explore the sacred bond between Eros and Spirit. Through breathwork, ritual, and embodied presence, participants are invited to heal the old divide between sexuality and spirituality, and to experience the body as a temple where the erotic and the divine meet rather than compete. All conceptions of the sacred are welcome — God, Spirit, Source, or Mystery — and there is no fixed doctrine here, only an invitation into deeper wholeness. Open to cisgender men, non-binary, trans men, intersex, and two-spirit people of all sexual orientations.
Lodging and meals included Learn more and register

Fall Intermediate CON
2026-11-20 - 2026-11-22
Fall Intermediate CON
Youth Conventions or “CONs” are weekend long events planned by youth with adult support for youth from third grade to high school. At heart, a youth con is an experience in building covenantal community and empowering youth leadership.
Supported by the larger work of The Mountain, each con has a different theme and focus, but they all incorporate community building, fun, worship, and exploration of spirituality. Each event has its own covenant and is in covenant with The Mountain’s safety policies. Youth experience both the safety of being in a covenantal community and the responsibility to repair relationships when difficult situations arise.
Youth have the opportunity to serve in leadership roles to help plan events, help run events, help the CON community live in covenant, or be peer chaplains for emotional support.
When
PALs Training: September 4-6, 2026
Elementary (3rd – 5th graders): November 6-8, 2026
Intermediate (6th – 8th graders): November 20-22, 2026
Senior High (9th – 12th graders): December 11-13, 2026
Registration opens: Now open!
Registration deadline: 2 weeks prior to CON start date.
If your youth coordinator has given you a transfer code number please enter the number at the payment portion of the registration process
In our registration system, select Youth CONferences
Fee
The Mountain is excited to announce a pilot program to better cover the costs of running The Mountain while still making it an accessible place for all who want to come.
Youth
Traditional Cost: $100/person (Covers part of the cost of the weekend)
True Cost: $215/person (Covers the whole cost of the weekend)
No Cost: Free
Advisor
Supporter 2: $100/person (Covers part of the cost of the weekend)
Supporter 1: $50/person (Covers part of the cost of the weekend)
No Cost: Free
Please email youthcamp@themountainrlc.org with any questions or concerns regarding this new price structure.
Click Here to Register!

Grateful Gathering Wednesday, November 25 - Sunday, November 29
2026-11-25 - 2026-11-29
Save The Dates Details Coming Soon
Registration opens : August 25

The Art of Letting Go: Finding Freedom in Impermanence
2026-12-04 - 2026-12-06
The Art of Letting Go: Finding Freedom in Impermanence
Friday, December 4 – Sunday, December 6, 2026
Registration opens August 10, 2026
All functioning things – our environments, enjoyments, body, mind and our self – change from moment to moment. In understanding the essence of Buddha’s teachings on impermanence, we can find real freedom from physical suffering and mental pain, and the path to everlasting happiness.

During this special weekend retreat, attendees will meditate on the wisdom of impermanence, which will empower us to live our life in a more meaningful and wise way. Take a break from the busyness and excessive productivity of everyday life, and retreat into the clarity and calm deep within our own mind.

Sessions will be skillfully guided by the Resident Teachers of Southern Kadampa Centers. Sessions include a brief teaching, silent time for meditation and time for question and answer. All sessions are suitable for beginners and those with some experience of Kadampa Buddhism.

Everyone is welcome!

This regional retreat is organized by Kadampa meditation centers and branches in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Friday
3:00-7:30p.m. | Check-in at The Mountain’s main office
6:00-7:15p.m. | Dinner
7:30-9:00p.m. | Introduction and Session 1
Saturday
8:00-8:45a.m. | Breakfast
9:00-10:15a.m. | Session 2
11:00a.m.-12:15p.m. | Session 3
12:30-1:45p.m. | Lunch
4:00-5:30p.m. | Session 4 and Q&A
6:00-7:00p.m. | Dinner
7:15-8:30p.m. | Session 5
Sunday
8:00-8:45a.m. | Breakfast
9:00-10:00a.m. | Session 6
11:00a.m.-12:30p.m. | Session 7 and Conclusion

RETREAT TEACHERS

Gen Kelsang Norbu was ordained in 2006 by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, and was requested by him to be the Resident Teacher of KMC North Carolina. He earned the title ‘Gen’ in 2012, indicating that he is a senior ordained teacher in the New Kadampa Tradition of modern Buddhism. He is known for his loving and gentle nature and holds a very clear and sharp understanding of Buddha’s teachings.
Gen Kelsang Dechok is a senior ordained teacher of Modern Buddhism. She has studied and taught in both the US and the UK for many years. She was ordained in 2006 by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche, and was requested to be the Resident Teacher of KMC Georgia in 2023. Whether it be through guided retreats or classes, her playfulness and sincerity allow students to see how the teachings can benefit them in their busy modern lives.
Gen Kelsang Tabkay has been a practitioner of Kadampa Buddhism and student of Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso for 18 years. Ordained as a Buddhist monk in 2013, he is the Resident Teacher of KMC South Carolina and previously, KMC Phoenix. He has also guided many retreats at the International Kadampa Retreat Center Grand Canyon. He is known for giving accessible and practical teachings, dedicating himself to bringing peace into the hearts of others.
Kadam Sharon Lovich has been practicing meditation and Kadampa Buddhism since 2003 and is the Resident teacher of the Je Tsongkhapa Kadampa Meditation Center in Asheville since 2017. She has engaged in numerous focused meditation retreats and is known for teaching others how to develop a peaceful mind with great skill, lightness, and humor.
Kadam Ethan Lechner has been a practitioner of Kadampa Buddhism since 2008. In that time, he has traveled throughout the world to receive teachings from Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso and the tradition’s most senior teachers. Ethan is appreciated for his warm, humorous, and relatable style of teaching Dharma.
ABOUT THIS RETREAT
What is a retreat?
In meditation retreat, we take a break from our normal busyness to gain experience of a particular meditation practice.
In a retreat, we have the opportunity to gain deeper concentration by letting go of our usual busyness, preoccupations and worries, to experience a spacious and life-enhancing perspective.
Even with poor concentration, we are generally more peaceful, relaxed, and happy on retreat than in our ordinary fast-paced, externalized lives.
Whether you’re a beginner or simply want to enjoy retreat in ideal conditions, every aspect of these retreats are structured to help you refresh your mind through meditation. During the breaks enjoy meaningful conversation and the beauty and tranquility of the North Carolina Highlands.
How to prepare:
A wonderful way to prepare for this retreat is to read or listen to Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso’s texts:
Mordern Buddhism(free e-download)
How to Transform Your Life(free e-download)
How to Solve Our Human Problems
New Meditation Handbook
Joyful Path of Good Fortune
Retreat Sessions
Sessions run between 60 and 90 minutes. The sessions combine practical instruction and time for meditation that will allow you to:

connect with an experience of true inner peace
develop basic techniques that can help you to create a consistent habit of meditation
leave with practical inner tools to apply what you have learned to your daily life

During the breaks
Between retreat sessions take time to relax and carry your experience of peace, enjoy the tranquility of the grounds and connect and discuss with like-minded people.
Make it a Digital Detox Weekend
Are you feeling over-stimulated by the modern world and your phone is rarely out of your hand? Are you losing time to tech-based distraction? Is your phone draining you of energy to live with clarity and focus? Instead of sinking into habitual distraction, now is the time to take back control of our mind. Consider leaving your phone in your car and taking a break.
Morning Silence Practice
During this retreat we will be practicing silence in the morning, until after lunch. Silence is not just about not talking, it is about developing an inner quality of stillness.

In silence, we engage with the meditation object in a more intimate way. We start listening to the Dharma from deep within our heart which gives us a special inner experience of the teachings. Penetrating insights arise and since we are able to hold onto them with firm mindfulness we find Dharma experience pervades and nourishes our heart at a very deep level.

REGISTRATION DETAILS
Registration Deadline: November 23, 2026
Registration opens: August 10, 2026

Registration fee includes:
double or single room, or indoor camping bunkhouse
bed linens, towels and shower amenities
all program fees
vegetarian dinner on Friday
vegetarian breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday
vegetarian breakfast on Sunday
access to The Mountain grounds, facilities and hiking trails
Adult costs:
IMPORTANT: Expect simple, rustic accommodations and meals, with basic amenities and a focus on nature. Contentment is an essential part of a successful meditation retreat. It will be cold, so please bring a space heater, additional blankets or sleeping bag, and anything that will help you be more comfortable.
Single Room
$510 per person
Double or Triple Room
$370 per person
If you don’t specify a roommate when you register, one will be assigned to you in the same gender.

Indoor Camping/Family Bunkhouse
$310 per adult
This is an indoor camping experience in a rustic cabin. Cabins have an indoor bathroom and shower and mini-split heating unit. Perfect for families!
Commuter
$250 per adult
Children and young adults:
Children may attend the retreat at a cost of $150 per child. We regret that children under 13 are not allowed in the main meditation room during sessions. A video link will be available in a comfortable quiet area reserved for families.
Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by two (2) nominated responsible adult carers over the age of 18. Those who are aged 16 and 17 years must be accompanied by an adult over 18. You will be asked to provide the names of the carers/accompanying adult at the point of booking, and will be unable to complete the booking without it. This retreat is a public event and the care and safety of children and young adults remains at all times the responsibility of their parents/nominated carers/accompanying adult. For insurance purposes, NKT-IKBU and the Retreat Organizers cannot take responsibility for children and young adults. Children (of all ages) must be under adult supervision at all times.
How to register:

Go to The Mounatin’s Portal
On the top right click on Registration Portal.
Create an account
Complete your personal profile
Under “Program Classifications” select OTHER RETREATS
Select your room option
Specify dietary needs, housing options and mobility needs
Specify roommate options. If this is left empty one will be assigned to you
Submit payment. Your spot is not secured until payment has been submitted.

Fall Senior High CON
2026-12-11 - 2026-12-13
Fall Senior High CON
Youth Conventions or “CONs” are weekend long events planned by youth with adult support for youth from third grade to high school. At heart, a youth con is an experience in building covenantal community and empowering youth leadership.
Supported by the larger work of The Mountain, each con has a different theme and focus, but they all incorporate community building, fun, worship, and exploration of spirituality. Each event has its own covenant and is in covenant with The Mountain’s safety policies. Youth experience both the safety of being in a covenantal community and the responsibility to repair relationships when difficult situations arise.
Youth have the opportunity to serve in leadership roles to help plan events, help run events, help the CON community live in covenant, or be peer chaplains for emotional support.
When
PALs Training: September 4-6, 2026
Elementary (3rd – 5th graders): November 6-8, 2026
Intermediate (6th – 8th graders): November 20-22, 2026
Senior High (9th – 12th graders): December 11-13, 2026
Registration opens: Now open!
Registration deadline: 2 weeks prior to CON start date.
If your youth coordinator has given you a transfer code number please enter the number at the payment portion of the registration process
In our registration system, select Youth CONferences
Fee
The Mountain is excited to announce a pilot program to better cover the costs of running The Mountain while still making it an accessible place for all who want to come.
Youth
Traditional Cost: $100/person (Covers part of the cost of the weekend)
True Cost: $215/person (Covers the whole cost of the weekend)
No Cost: Free
Advisor
Supporter 2: $100/person (Covers part of the cost of the weekend)
Supporter 1: $50/person (Covers part of the cost of the weekend)
No Cost: Free
Please email youthcamp@themountainrlc.org with any questions or concerns regarding this new price structure.
Click Here to Register!
